Established by Congress in 2000, two years before the start of the current conflicts in the Middle East, the Veterans History Project has endeavored to include the personal accounts of all veterans, past and contemporary. In this installment of Experiencing War, we turn our eye to America's most recent veterans: those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In their interviews, these veterans discuss a vast array of experiences and topics, many of them unique to the war on terror: multiple and often unexpected overseas deployments, new technology and means of engagement, and the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks. While these 21st century veterans have navigated unforeseen challenges, their stories also illustrate the constants of the universal military experience, and give voice to today’s human experience of war.
[read news release]